Joining the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) means being part of the team focused on securing the Nation's physical and cyber infrastructure against threats to public health and safety, economy, and national security. Within CISA, the Cybersecurity Division leads cybersecurity efforts for CISA as the Nation's flagship civilian cyber defense organization. The division collaborates with partners across the government and private sector to enhance the Nation's cybersecurity by sharing information, providing cybersecurity services and technical assistance, as well as through education and awareness.
.
Visit www.cisa.gov to learn more about CISA and how you can be part of the team to Defend Today; Secure Tomorrow.
This is a Pathways Student Intern Program position and is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. Veteran Preference will be applied in filling positions under the Pathways Programs.
In this position, the incumbent is responsible for serving as a Student Trainee performing under a progressive training program. Work assignments are cybersecurity-focused and are intended to expose the incumbent to cybersecurity, including, practical application of the principles, concepts, work processes, methods, techniques, regulations, reference materials, and procedures fundamental of Information Security (INFOSEC) and cybersecurity. Major duties in this Student Trainee position include, but are not limited to:
Performing tasks to apply classroom experience and gain on-the-job experience in the application of principles, procedures, and work techniques in actual operating situations.
Learning to assist with generation of basic program source codes utilizing various computer languages.
Learning to assist with hardware and software updates to systems.
Learning to assist with network monitoring and incident response.
Learning to analyze and evaluate security log data.
Researching new solutions for emerging cyber security threats.
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
You must successfully pass a background investigation
You must be able to obtain and hold a Secret security clearance.
Selective Service registration required.
If selected, you must sign the Pathways Internship Participant agreement
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative test result prior to appointment to this position. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
Relocation expenses are not authorized. Other recruitment incentives may be authorized.
Must be at least 16 years of age.
You must be an enrolled student at the time of appointment.
Students are required to stay enrolled at least half-time per semester to continue participation in the Pathways Internship Program and provide verification (transcripts) of successfully completion of courses every semester.
Your schedule during the academic year is negotiable. During school breaks and summers, travel to/from the official duty station and housing expenses, will be at the student's expense.
Students are require to remain in good academic standing which is defined as initially possessing a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher and maintaining it while employed in the Pathways Internship Program.
Applicants who graduate at the conclusion of the Spring 2021 semester may only be considered if they remain enrolled and are also accepted for enrollment for the Fall 2021 semester.
Interns are on a trial period throughout the course of the internship.
If interns successfully completes the internship requirements and they are converted to the competitive service, time spent in a trial period will count towards the required one year probationary period.
Qualifications
Pathways Internship Eligibility
You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be currently enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, on at least a half-time schedule as a student at an accredited college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs (e.g., graduate school, law school); or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a degree or certificate. Certificate programs must be one academic year in duration. Must meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of the appointment.
You qualify for the GS- 1 grade level (starting salary $22,660.00) if you are currently enrolled in a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) program.
You qualify for the GS- 2 grade level (starting salary $25,479.00) if you completed a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) program.
Note: All applicants must provide their most recent documentation of their eligibility (e.g., transcripts, official letters documenting enrollment, etc.) as part of their application package.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Qualifications Must Be Met
The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION:
Interns may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of the internship program. Eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that CISA will offer conversion. Eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that CISA will offer conversion.
To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:
Be a United States citizen
Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program.
Complete a course of academic study at a qualifying educational institution
Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted.
Must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout the entire internship appointment.
Perform their job successfully.
Agencies may also waive up to one-half (320 hours) of the 640-hour minimum service requirement when an Intern completes 320 hours of career-related work experience under an Internship Program appointment and demonstrates high potential by outstanding academic achievement and exceptional job performance.
Agencies may evaluate, consider and grant credit for up to one-half (320 hours) of the 640-hour service requirement for comparable non-Federal internship experience in a field or functional area related to the student's target position.
Time spent under previous Internship Program appointments may count towards required work experience hours.
This opportunity follows a standard promotional path:
Internship selection will be made at the GS-1 or 2 level. These grade levels are what typically high school students may qualify. You must be an enrolled student, or accepted for enrollment in the next immediate semester, at the time of your first day of your internship.
Conversion may be offered starting at the GS-5 level. Students hired must continue to meet enrollment eligibility requirements throughout the duration of the program and must meet eligibility and qualification requirements for GS-5 in order to be eligible for conversion.
Within 120 days after completion of internship requirements, you may be eligible for conversion to the entry-level for the target occupation. Entry level for these positions are typically GS-5 or GS-7 level. The actual grade level at the time of conversion depends on academic achievement and other factors.
The full performance level of this position upon conversion is GS-12.
Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level, but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.
Interns hired through this announcement may be promoted though the GS-5 level while serving as an intern. Promotion above GS-2 is contingent upon continuously meeting enrollment eligibility requirements throughout the duration of the program. Student interns who successfully complete the program requirements will be eligible to convert into positions that may have a full performance level of up to GS-12.
Additional information
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Appointments are subject to the availability of funds.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 USC Section 7112(B)(6).
All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/ Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
E-Verify
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online if at all possible. Applying online, through your USAJOBS account, will expedite the application process and allow you to check your application status as well as verify the documentation submitted with your application. If you utilize the Alternate Application method, your USAJOBS account will not display this application and you will not receive status updates.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated on their resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using an Assessment Questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:
Communication
Computers
Team Work
Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on www.fedshirevets.gov.
If you are determined qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10926014
Interview Requirement: Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. The interview process may consist of in-person or phone panel interview.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
1. Your resume
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire
3. Your academic transcripts, and/or other proof of enrollment that shows enrollment beyond the conclusion of the Spring 2021 semester/quarters
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/13/2021 to receive consideration. To begin your online application:
Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to saved application at a later date, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
245 Murray Lane, SW
Mail Stop 0380
Washington, DC 20528
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
View more information on applying for federal employment.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Your resume
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire
3. Your academic transcripts, and/or other proof of enrollment that shows enrollment beyond the conclusion of the Spring 2021 semester/quarters
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/13/2021 to receive consideration. To begin your online application:
Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to saved application at a later date, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
245 Murray Lane, SW
Mail Stop 0380
Washington, DC 20528
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
View more information on applying for federal employment.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
